Shortly before 5pm, a young family were playing on rocks near Blue Pool when they became stranded by a turning tide.

It is understood the group were visitors to the area.

The children – two boys, and two girls, and aged between 10 and 16 – were about to head back when they realised their entry point had disappeared and they were not able to return to their mother who was waiting several hundred metres away. 

Eight members from the Bermagui SLSC call-out team responded to the call for help, as well as a Far South Coast duty officer, and lifeguards from the Australian Lifeguard Service who were patrolling a nearby beach. 

An Inflatable Rescue Boat was launched in an effort to rescue the stranded children, but it was quickly determined that a safe extraction wasn’t possible due to the rough conditions. 

Read more: Kite surfer rescued off Bulli Beach

A member of the callout team scrambled down the cliff face to wait with the children while a decision on how to proceed was made. 

The Westpac Life Saver Rescue helicopter was called into winch the children to safety.

Far South Coast duty officer and Bermagui SLSC secretary Cheryl McCarthy said the successful operation was a joy to witness.

“It was fantastic to see everyone’s training be put to the test in a real-life situation and the ALS Lifeguards, the crew from the Westpac Helicopter, and the call-out team certainly deserve credit for their professionalism and effort.

“From our perspective it was a team effort and we are certainly glad to be part of what was a great outcome,” Ms McCarthy said.